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The LSU Tigers are headed to the College World Series Finals

By John Fye

Jun 22, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers third baseman Tommy White (47) celebrates after hitting a walk-off two-run home run to defeat the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the eleventh inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2023; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers third baseman Tommy White (47) celebrates after hitting a walk-off two-run home run to defeat the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the eleventh inning at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports /
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The LSU Tigers walked off Wake Forest on Thursday night. As a result, the Bayou Bengals are headed to the College World Series Finals for the 19th time.

The LSU Tigers entered the bottom of the 11th inning needing a sliver of offense to send Wake Forest packing. Suffice it to say, Tommy White brought the lumber. With a runner on, the sophomore slugger smashed Camden Minacci’s first pitch over the left-field wall. The home run ended the Demon Deacon’s season and catapulted LSU into the National Championship series.

White’s walk-off hit could not come at a better time. He effectively ended a 0-0 pitcher’s duel and ended his mini-RBI drought in Omaha.

As expected, both starting pitchers were phenomenal on Thursday. Wake Forest’s Rhett Lowder tossed 88 pitches over seven innings, including 63 strikes. However, Paul Skenes was better for the LSU Tigers, giving up only two hits and striking out nine in eight innings. We expect both aces to be top-10 picks in the upcoming MLB Draft.

The LSU Tigers completed the complicated task of winning three-straight elimination games to advance to the College World Series Finals. Such included sending Tennessee back to Knoxville on Tuesday and avenging Monday’s loss the Wake Forest. Moreover, knocking off the top-seeded Demon Deacons shows the Tigers’ ability to win offensively anemic games.

LSU advances to the final round, where the rival Florida Gators await. Florida was the best team among the eight in Omaha, winning all three of their games. The Gators entered the College World Series as the No. 2 team in the country. Florida’s trip to the championships series is their fourth in program history.

But, of course, many LSU baseball fans recall the Tigers losing the College World Series Finals to the Gators in 2017. We’re hoping history does not repeat itself in 2023. Granted, the current LSU Tigers in Omaha are flashing serious team of destiny vibes.

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Game one of LSU vs. Florida is scheduled for Saturday, June 24, at 6 p.m. CST.

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